Topline
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins died Saturday morning after he was hit by a dump truck while walking along a highway in south Florida, multiple media outlets report.
Key Facts
Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Indiana Miranda told the Associated Press and NPR that Haskins was walking on I-595 in Broward County when he was struck by the truck while he attempted to cross westbound lanes around 6:30 a.m.
Haskins was pronounced deceased on the scene and there is “an open traffic homicide investigation,” Miranda reportedly said.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement he was “at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing” of Haskins, adding he was one of the team’s hardest workers, both on the field and in the community.
Haskins, 24, was training in south Florida with other Steelers quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers, according to ESPN, which first reported the news.
The former Ohio State star joined the Steelers ahead of the 2021 season and was competing to become the starting quarterback following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
Haskins would have turned 25 on May 3, Haskins’ agent Cedric Saunders told ESPN.
What We Don’t Know
Miranda said it is unclear why Haskins was walking on the highway.
Key Background
Haskins broke several records during his 2018 season at Ohio State and also set several Big Ten records, including single-season passing yardage, single-season passing touchdowns and most Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week awards, according to Sports Illustrated. Haskins was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2018, before he was drafted as a first-round pick by the Washington Commanders in 2019. He played two seasons for Washington before he signed with the Steelers for the 2021 season.
Further Reading
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins dies after being struck by vehicle (ESPN)
